Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CONNECTION ASSEMBLY FOR RAILWAY COUPLING DEVICES
Field Of The Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to railway
coupling devices and, more particularly, this invention relates
to connection assemblies for use in articulated coupling
arrangements and slackless drawbar assemblies which are used in
the railway industry to couple together the adjacently disposed
ends of a pair of railway type freight cars in a substantially
semi-permanent fashion.
Background Of The Invention
Articulated coupling arrangements and slackless drawbar
assemblies have been generally well known in the railroad
industry for several years, prior to the development of the
present invention, as a means to connect together the adjacently
disposed ends of a pair of railway type freight cars in a
substantially semi-permanent fashion. In other words, these
railway freight cars generally will not require frequent
separation during service. Normally they will only be separated
during a required repair and/or routinely scheduled maintenance
being performed on one or more of them.
These railway cars are particularly adapted for what is most
commonly referred to, in the railroad industry, as piggyback
service and/or dedicated service wherein the cars may be joined
in a semi-permanent fashion. The railroad cars which are joined
in such semi-permanent fashion are also commonly referred to in
the railroad industry as either a "5-pack" or "10-pack" unit.
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These five-pack or ten-pack units do not require the use of a
standard coupler, except between units. The primary reason such
standard couplers are now required is because these units are only
broken periodically. Normally, this occurs when maintenance of an
individual component must be carried out. Obviously, considerable
cost-savings are achieved by the use of this semi-permanent
coupling arrangement. These cost savings are mainly derived from
lower car weight, fewer railway trucks, reduced maintenance and
generally lower equipment cost. Such lower the equipment cost being
achieved by elimination of draft gears and a reduction in the
number of trucks required.
With the use of the semi-permanent coupling arrangements and
with the higher loads presently being carried by modern railway
trains, it is of the utmost importance that a close-buttoned
relationship be maintained between the numerous coupler draft
components. Such a close-buttoned relationship is required in order
to reduce the detrimental effects of the impact forces which are
encountered by a car under buff conditions of train operations.
One prior type of articulated coupling device used for the
purpose of connecting adjacent ends of a pair of railway cars, in a
semi-permanent manner, is taught in U.S. Patent No. 5,172,819.
This particular articulated coupling device includes a male
connection member secured to one end of a first railway car body
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and a female connection member secured to an adjacent end of a
second railway car body. The male connection member includes an
aperture therein. A bearing assembly, including a substantially
spherical member, is positioned within this aperture for joining
such male connection member with the female connection member.
A race assembly, formed by at least two members, is provided
within the aperture and is positioned around a predetermined
portion of the substantially spherical member. The race assembly
enables requisite movement of the male connection member in
relation to the female connection member in each of a vertical
direction and a horizontal direction over a predetermined range
of angles measured from each of a centerline of the spherical
member disposed in a vertical direction and a longitudinal axis
of the articulated coupling arrangement disposed in a horizontal
direction. A securing means is provided which is engageable with
each of the race assembly and the male connection member for
securing the race assembly and the spherical member to the male
connection member.
One generally well known slackless type drawbar assembly
using a ball and race type connection includes the following
elements: a car connection member, or female connection member,
engageable within the center sill portion of a railway vehicle,
a spherical member securable within the car connection member, a
male connection member having a curved butt end and an aperture
which is disposed around the spherical member secured within the
car connection member, a two piece race assembly secured within
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the aperture of the male connection member and disposed between
the spherical member and such aperture and a drawbar connected to
such male connection member.
A disadvantage of the articulated coupling arrangements and
slackless drawbar assemblies discussed above is the provision of
at least two separate members to form the race assembly and the
care which must be taken to secure these two separate members
within the aperture of the male connection member around a
predetermined portion of the spherical member. These factors add
additional materials cost, assembling time and labor to the
manufacture of the articulated coupling arrangement and/or
slackless drawbar assembly.
Summary Of The Invention
An object of the present invention is to provide a
connection assembly for use in an articulated coupling
arrangement and/or a slackless drawbar assembly to connect
together the adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway type
freight cars in a substantially semi-permanent fashion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a male
connection assembly for use in an articulated coupling
arrangement and/or a slackless drawbar assembly to connect
together the adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway type
freight cars in a substantially semi-permanent fashion.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a retainer member for use in a connection assembly in an
articulated coupling arrangement and/or a slackless drawbar
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assembly to connect together the adjacently disposed ends of a
pair of railway type freight cars in a substantially semi-
permanent fashion.
A further object of the present invention is to replace the
two piece race assembly with a single piece retainer member which
fits into a slotted portion formed by the male connection member
so as to form a substantially spherical inner surface upon which
the spherical member can rotate against.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
connection assembly that is easily assembled thus providing a
significant reduction in time and labor.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a connection assembly that requires fewer component parts
thereby providing a significant reduction in manufacturing cost.
Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing objects, the
instant invention comprises a connection assembly for use in an
articulated type coupling arrangement and/or a slackless drawbar
type assembly utilized in connecting together, in a substantially
semi-permanent manner, adjacently disposed ends of a pair of
railway cars. The connection assembly includes a substantially
spherical member having a predetermined diameter, a male
connection member having at least one end which includes an
aperture formed therethrough so as to form an inner surface
within this male connection member, and a retainer member
engageable with at least a portion of the inner surface within
the male connection member forming a substantially spherical
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inner surface including at least a portion of the inner surface
of the male connection member and at least a portion of the
retainer member. This substantially spherical inner surface
formed by at least a portion of the male member and at least a
portion of the retainer member is positioned around a
predetermined portion of the spherical member in a manner so as
to enable movement of the male connection member in relation to
a female connection member in both a vertical direction and a
horizontal direction over a predetermined range of angles. A
securing means is provided for securing the retainer member with
at least a portion of the inner surface of the male connection
member and a joining means is provided for joining the spherical
member to the female connection member so as to connect adjacent
ends of a pair of railway vehicles.
Although a number of objects and advantages of the present
invention have been described in some detail above, various
additional objects and advantages of the connection assembly
according to the present invention will become more readily
apparent to those persons who are skilled in the railway coupling
art from the following more detailed description of the
invention, particularly, when such detailed description of the
invention is taken in conjunction with both the attached drawing
figures and with the appended claims.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevation view, partially in cross-
section, which illustrates one presently preferred embodiment of
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a connection assembly constructed according to the present
invention for use in an articulated type coupling arrangement.
Figure 2 is a top view, partially in cross-section, of the
connection assembly illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a top view which illustrates an alternative
embodiment of a connection assembly for use in an articulated
type coupling arrangement.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing assembly
illustrated in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is an expanded view of a slackless type drawbar
assembly using the connection assembly of the present invention
prior to insertion of the male connection member of the drawbar
assembly into the female connection member.
Figure 6 is a top view of the connection assembly of a
slackless type drawbar assembly wherein the male connection
member of the drawbar assembly has been joined with the female
connection member.
Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the
connection assembly of a slackless type drawbar assembly.
Figure 8 is a partial view of the connection assembly of the
present invention which may utilized in either an articulated
type coupling arrangement or a slackless type drawbar assembly.
Figures 9A and 9B show alternative embodiments of the one
piece liner member which may be inserted between the spherical
member and the spherical surface formed by the inner surface of
the male connection member and the retainer member.
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Figure 10 is a partial view of the connection assembly of
the present invention including a one piece liner member which
may be utilized in either an articulated type coupling
arrangement or a slackless type drawbar assembly.
Detailed Description Of The Invention
Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the
various embodiments of the instant invention, it should be
pointed out that, for the sake of clarity, identical components
which have identical functions have been identified with
identical reference numerals throughout the several views that
have been illustrated in the drawings.
Now reference is made, more particularly, to drawing Figs.
1-2 in which there is illustrated one presently preferred
embodiment of a connection assembly for use in an articulated
type coupling arrangement, generally designated 10, that is
constructed in accordance with the principals of the present
invention. This articulated coupling arrangement 10 can be
retrofitted to existing railway cars, if desired, and is capable
of connecting together, in a substantially semi-permanent manner,
at least one predetermined end of a first railway car (not shown)
to an adjacent predetermined end of a second railway car (not
shown) .
Such articulated coupling arrangement 10 generally includes
a male connection member, generally designated 20, a female
connection member, generally designated 30, a connection
assembly, constructed according to the present invention and
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generally designated 40, and a means, generally designated 50 for
joining the connection assembly 40 to such articulated type
coupling arrangement 10 in a semi-permanent fashion.
The male connection member 20 is adapted at a first end 12
thereof in a manner that will enable such male connection member
20 to be engaged with and connected to one predetermined end of
a center sill member (not shown) disposed substantially along a
longitudinal centerline of one of such first railway car and such
second railway car.
Prior to being secured in place, preferably by welding, the
first end 12 of the male connection member 20 is positioned
within the center sill portion for a predetermined distance.
Usually this predetermined distance will be about 6 to 10 inches
and about 8 inches being preferred and typical. Because the
first end 12 of the male connection member 20 must fit within the
center sill portion of the railway car, its outer dimensions are
substantially controlled by the inner dimensions of such center
sill portion. The second end 14 of the male connection member 20
is generally an elongated rectangular-shaped element. The
outermost end 18 of the second end 14 of the male connection
member 20, preferably, has a convex shape in a plane which
extends in both a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.
In addition, the bottom wall portion 22 of the second end 14
of the male connection member 20 is tapered upwardly starting
from a predetermined position and extending toward such first end
12. Such tapered portion has a taper of at least about 10
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degrees. The purpose of this tapered portion of the bottom wall
22 of the male connection member 20 is to allow flexing in a
horizontal plane when the cars are moving over a hilly terrain.
Disposed within the second end 14 of the male connection
member 20 is an aperture 16. At least a portion of aperture 16
forms a substantially spherical inner surface 15 within the male
connection member. The aperture 16 includes a predetermined size
and a predetermined shape. This aperture 16 is formed through a
predetermined portion of the second end 14 of such male
connection member 20. This aperture 16 has a longitudinal axis
that is disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis of the male
connection member 20 and lies in a substantially horizontal
plane.
At least a portion of the inner surface of the male
connection member is removed from the plane formed by the
substantially spherical inner surface 15 so as to provide
sufficient space such that the spherical member may be positioned
within this aperture and at least a portion of the outer surface
of the spherical member engages the substantially spherical inner
surface 15 of the male connection member. For example, a slotted
portion 17 having a ledge 19 is formed along the inner surface 15
of the male connection member 14. This slotted portion 17 can
extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the male
connection member such that a continuously extending single ledge
19 is provided as shown in Figure 8. This slotted portion 17 can
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be formed by any well known technique such as machining,
grinding, casting and the like.
The female connection member 30 includes a first end 24
which is configured in a manner that will enable such female
connection member 30 to be engaged with and connected to an
adjacent predetermined end of a center sill member (not shown)
disposed substantially along a longitudinal centerline of an
opposite one of such first railway car and such second railway
car (not shown).
A cavity 26 is formed in a second end of the female
connection member 30. This cavity 26 receives therein at least
a portion of each of the second end 14 of the male connection
member 20 and such aperture 16 formed through the predetermined
portion of such second end 14 of the male connection member 20.
This cavity 26 is formed by a substantially horizontally-disposed
bottom wall portion 32, a substantially vertically-disposed back
wall portion 34 connected along a bottom edge thereof to a rear
edge of such bottom wall portion 32 and a pair of, vertically-
disposed side wall portions 36 connected along a bottom edge
thereof to the bottom wall portion 32 and along a rear edge
thereof to such back wall portion 34.
A vertically-disposed plane which intersects a geometric
centerline of each respective one of such pair of side wall
portions 36 being substantially parallel to each other. An inner
surface of each of such bottom wall portion 32 and such rear wall
portion 34 and such pair of side wall portions 36 define a
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predetermined size and a predetermined shape of the cavity 26
which is open adjacent a top and front surface thereof. An
opening 38 is formed through a predetermined portion of each one
of the pair of side wall portions 36.
The articulated coupling arrangement 10 includes a
connection assembly 40. Such connection assembly 40 includes a
substantially spherical member 42. At least a predetermined
portion of such spherical member 42 is positioned within such
aperture 16 formed through the predetermined portion of the
second end 14 of the male connection member 20. Such spherical
member 42 has a predetermined diameter. In the presently
preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the substantially
spherical inner surface 15 of such male connection member 14 is
positioned adjacent to a predetermined first portion of the
spherical member 42.
A retainer member 21 having a substantially spherical shaped
inner surface is engageable with at least a portion of the inner
surface of such male connection member 20. This retainer member
can be any shape as needed in order to fit in the space provided
within the aperture of the male connection member so as to be
engaged with and/or mate with the inner surface of the male
connection member so as to form a substantially spherical inner
surface upon which the spherical member rotates against. For
example, depending upon the size of the space provided, this
retainer member can have a substantially rectangular shape having
at least one arcuate side engageable with the spherical member.
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Another example would be for the retainer member to have a flat
top surface which butts up against a ledge 19 formed by providing
a slotted portion 17 in the inner surface of the male connection
member to form the substantially spherical inner surface
including at least a portion of the inner surface 15 of such male
connection member 14 and the retainer member 21. At least a
portion of the retainer member is positioned around a
predetermined second portion of the spherical member 42. The
substantially spherical inner surface formed by t least a portion
of the inner surface 15 of the male connection member and at
least a portion of the retainer member 21 provides a surface
which enables movement of such male connection member 20 in
relation to such female connection
member 30 in both a vertical direction and a horizontal direction
over a predetermined range of angles measured from a centerline
of the spherical member 42 disposed in a vertical direction and
from a longitudinal axis of such articulated coupling arrangement
disposed in a horizontal direction.
As shown in Figure 8, the retainer member 21 is formed from
a one piece circular member and which is sufficiently inserted
into the slotted portion 17 of the male connection member so as
to form a smooth surface upon which the spherical member can
rotate against. The retainer member 21 can be formed from any
well known material which has sufficient strength to withstand
the forces generated by the rotation of the spherical member
thereagainst. For example, the retainer member can be formed
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from a metal which is cast, ground, or molded substantially to
size.
Alternatively, the retainer member 21 can be formed from a
polymeric and/or composite material. For example, the retainer
member 21 can be formed by filament winding a resin impregnated
reinforcing material, such as epoxy impregnated glass fiber,
about a-Teflon°/Dacron~ yarn mesh base, curing the resin in the
fibers, and machining the retainer member 21 to the desired size.
Teflon , also known as PTFE and/or polytetrafluoroethylene, and
Dacron~, also known as polyester, are registered trademarks of
E.I. Dupont De Nemours. The Dacron~ yarns enable the resin
impregnated fibers to bond to the desired shape while the Teflono
yarns provide a nonstick surface. This type of material has
especially good strength and lubricating abilities which allows
for unrestricted movement of the spherical member thereagainst.
Other polymeric materials, well known in the art, may be
used to form the retainer member 21 as long as such materials
provide sufficient strength and lubrication to such retainer
member 21.
Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment to the use of the
substantially spherical inner surface formed by the inner surface
of the male connection member and the retainer member as the
surface upon which the spherical member 21 rotates against . This
embodiment illustrates the use of a one piece liner member 150
positioned between the spherical member and the substantially
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spherical inner surface formed by the male connection member and
the retainer member 21.
This one piece liner member 150 has a substantially
spherical inner surface 152 upon which the spherical member 42
rotates against enabling movement of such male connection member
20 in relation to such female connection member 30 in both a
vertical direction and a horizontal direction over a
predetermined range of angles. As discussed above with respect
to the preferred retainer member 21, this one piece liner member
150 can be formed from any well known material which has
sufficient strength to withstand the forces generated by in-track
service and the rotation of the spherical member 42 thereagainst .
For example, the one piece liner member 150 can be formed from a
metal which is cast, ground, or molded to size.
Alternatively, the one piece liner member 150 can be formed
from a polymeric and/or composite material. An example of the
materials and process of forming a polymeric and/or composite
retainer member 21 has been discussed in detail above and are
likewise equally applicable to the formation of this one piece
liner member 150.
The one piece liner member 150 can be split partially along
its circular length as shown at 154 in Figure 9A. A portion 155
of the liner member 150 will remain unsplit. Alternatively, the
one piece liner member 150 can be split in a horizontal direction
across its width, as shown at 156 in figure 9B. The one piece
liner member 150 can be secured within the aperture of the male
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connection member/retainer member by any well known means such as
adhesive, brazing, welding, fusing, mechanical means, and the
like.
An alternative technique for possibly securing a thermoset
resin impregnated polymeric and/or composite liner material
within the aperture would be to partially cure the thermoset
resin in the liner material during production. Then, during
assembly of the liner member within the connection assembly,
position the liner member 150 within the aperture and fully cure
the resin such that this resin bonds the liner within the
aperture.
Also, there is preferably a securing means 43 provided for
securing the retainer member 21 within the aperture of such male
connection member 20. This securing means 43 can be a mechanical
securing means such as in the form of a circular ring which is
secured along the interface surface area 49 of the male
connection member 20 and the retainer member 21.
Alternatively an adhesive material, brazing material, or any
type of well known securing material may be used to secure the
retainer member within the aperture of the male connection
member. For example, this securing material may be inserted
between the retainer member and the inner surface of the slotted
portion for securing the retainer member 21 within the slotted
portion 17. An additional option would be for the retainer
member 21 to be welded or fused within the aperture and/or
slotted portion 17 of the male connection member 20.
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A pair of shaft members 46 extend outwardly a predetermined
length from axially-opposed surfaces of such spherical member 42.
One of such pair of shaft members 46 being engaged in a
respective one of such openings 38 formed through such each one
of such pair of side wall portions 36 of such cavity 26 formed in
the second end of such female connection member 30. At least a
portion of each of such pair of shaft members 46 having a
substantially identical configuration as at least a portion of
such predetermined configuration of such opening 38 formed
through such side wall portions 36.
A joining means, generally designated 50, is engage able with
at least one of such pair of shaft members 46 and a portion of
such opening 38 formed through such side wall portions 36 for
securing the connection assembly 40 to such female connection
member 30 and thereby securing the male connection member 20 to
such female connection member 30 to form the articulated type
coupling arrangement 10 of the instant invention.
In one form of the invention, the substantially spherical
inner surface formed by the male connection member 20 having the
retainer member 21 positioned therein will have a substantially
identical radius as that of the spherical member 42.
Alternatively, the substantially spherical inner surface formed
by the one piece liner member 150 will have a substantially
identical radius as that of the spherical member 42.
In another embodiment of the invention, the substantially
spherical inner surface formed by the male connection member 20
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having the retainer member 21 positioned therein or the
substantially spherical inner surface formed by the one piece
liner member 150 will be slightly larger than the radius of the
spherical member 42. In this case the articulated coupling
arrangement 10 further includes a lubricating liner 48 disposed
adjacent the outer surface of the spherical member 42.
According to the present invention, the bottom wall portion
32 of the cavity 26 formed in the second end_ of the female
connection member 30 further includes a center plate member 52
which matingly engages a center bowl (not shown) of a bolster
portion (not shown) of a railway car truck (not shown). Such
center plate member 52 includes a vertically disposed hole 54
adjacent a bottom surface 56 thereof. Such hole 54 is located
substantially in the center of the center plate member 52.
Additionally, the articulated coupling arrangement 10
further includes a vertically disposed pin member (not shown)
which is engageable in the hole 54 in the center plate member 52
and a vertically disposed hole (not shown) in the center bowl of
the bolster.
It is presently preferred that the bottom surface 56 of the
center plate member 52, which is a bearing surface, be hardened
to at least about 375 Brinell for a depth of at least about one-
eighth inch.
Further, the center plate member 52 is substantially round,
and a vertically disposed side 58 thereof is hardened to a
Brinell hardness of at least about 300 for a distance of at least
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about one inch up from the bottom surface 56 and to a depth of
about one-eighth inch.
In the presently preferred embodiment of this invention, the
second end 14 of the male connection member 20 has a
predetermined configuration adjacent an outermost end 18 thereof.
This predetermined configuration of the outermost end 18 of the
second end 14 of the male connection member 20 is a substantially
convex shape in each of a vertically disposed plane and a
horizontally disposed plane.
In addition, it is preferred that the vertically disposed
back wall portion 34 of the cavity 26 formed in the second end of
the female connection member 30 has a predetermined
configuration. This predetermined configuration of the
vertically disposed back wall portion 34 of the cavity 26 is a
substantially concave shape in at least one of a vertical plane
and a horizontal plane.
It is also preferred that the spherical member 42 and the
pair of shaft members 46, forming a portion of the connection
member 40 of the articulated coupling arrangement 10, be formed
as a single piece.
In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the pair of
vertically disposed side wall portions 36 include a tapered
portion adjacent the front surface of the cavity 26 and adjacent
the vertically disposed back wall portion 34 of the cavity 26 to
enable the second end 14 of the male connection member 20 to
rotate about the spherical member 42 in a horizontal direction.
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Finally, the presently preferred predetermined, configuration
of the opening 38 formed through each pair of such vertically
disposed side wall portions 36 includes a generally round portion
engage able with a portion of a respective one of such pair of
shaft members 46.
In the alternative embodiment of the connection assembly 40
illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the connection assembly 40
includes a substantially spherical member 42. At least a
predetermined portion of such spherical member 42 is positioned
within such aperture 16 formed through the predetermined portion
of the second end 14 of the male connection member 20. T~e
spherical member 42 has a predetermined diameter.
A bore 41 is formed through the spherical member 42. Such
bore 41 has each of a predetermined size and a predetermined
shape. A longitudinal axis of such bore 41 lies in a
substantially horizontal plane.
A pin member 45, which has a horizontally disposed axis, is
provided. The pin member 45 extends through the bore 41 in the
spherical member 42 for a predetermined length on each side of
axially opposed surfaces of the spherical member 42. A portion
of the pin member 45 is disposed within the bore 41 of the
spherical member 42 and has a substantially identical size and a
substantially identical shape as the predetermined size and
predetermined shape of the bore 41 thereby enabling a press-fit.
At least a portion of the predetermined length on each side of
the spherical member 42, which engages at least a portion of the
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opening 38 formed through the pair of side wall portions 36, has
a substantially identical size and identical configuration as the
predetermined configuration of the opening 38.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the inner surface 15 of
the male connection member 20 is formed with a slotted portion 17
having at least one ledge 19 for matingly engaging at least one
retainer member 21 so as to form a substantially spherical inner
surface for surrounding at least a portion of the spherical
member 42. Placement of the spherical member 42 within this
substantially spherical inner surface enables the movement of the
male connection member 20 in relation to the female connection
member 30 in both a vertical direction and a horizontal direction
over a predetermined range.
While a number of embodiments of the connection assembly for
use in an articulated type coupling arrangement, constructed
according to the present invention, have been described in detail
above, it should be obvious to persons skilled in the railway
coupling art that the connection assembly of the present
invention can be effectively used in slackless type drawbar
assemblies as well.
Reference is now made, more particularly, to Figures 5-7.
Illustrated therein are the essential components of a slackless
type drawbar assembly, generally designated as 60, used to
connect together in a substantially semi-permanent fashion
adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway cars (not shown).
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This slackless drawbar assembly 60 includes a car connection
member or female connection member, generally designated 64,
which is engageable via a carrier plate 62 in one end of a center
sill member 61. The carrier plate 62 can be secured with such
center sill member 61 by any well known means, such as, for
example with a bolt and lock nut assembly. The center sill
member 61 is secured to a bottom portion of a car body member
(not shown) of a railway car (not shown).
The car connection member 64, generally includes a pair of
front and a pair of rear draft stops 86,88, locking wedges 90 a
pair of shaft members 146 and shaft member supports 96. The
locking wedges 90 may be separate members or may be a single
machined or cast piece wherein the locking wedges are connected
by a bridge member (not shown).
Filler blocks (not shown) may be included between the rear
draft stops 88 and the locking wedges 90 to retrofit some of the
longer, older drawbar systems to systems capable of using the
connection assembly of the present invention. A spherical shaped
member 142 is secured to the shaft members 146 by any well known
means. These shaft members 146 are securable with the car
connection member 64 through the shaft member supports 96.
A male connection member, generally designated as 120,
having a first end, generally designated 112, and a second end,
generally designated 114, is provided. An aperture 116, having a
predetermined size and a predetermined shape, is formed through
a predetermined portion of the second end 114 of the male
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connection member 120 to form a substantially spherical inner
surface 115 within the male connection member. This aperture 116
has a longitudinal axis that is disposed transverse to a
longitudinal axis of the male connection member 120 and lies in
a substantially horizontal plane. In one embodiment, a slotted
portion 117 having a ledge 119 is formed along the inner surface
115 of the male connection member 114. This slotted portion 117
extends longitudinally along the inner surface of the male
connection member such that a continuously extending single ledge
119 is provided as shown in Figures 8 and 10. This aperture 116
forms an inner surface 115 within such male connection member
which is capable of being disposed around at least a portion of
the spherical member 142.
The male connection member 120 includes a means 95 attached
thereto for connecting together an end of a second railway car
(not shown) with an adjacently disposed end of the first railway
car (not shown). This means 95 can be in the form of a drawbar
assembly including a second male connection member, similar to
that described above, which is capable of being fitted with a
corresponding car connection member or female connection member,
also similar to that described above, on the second railway car
or a rotary type connection assembly (not shown).
The slackless type drawbar assembly 60 includes a connection
assembly 140, which is similar to the articulated type coupling
arrangement 10, as shown in Figures 1-4, and discussed in detail
above. Such connection assembly 140 includes a substantially
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spherical member 142. At least a predetermined portion of such
spherical member 142 is positioned within such aperture 116
formed through the predetermined portion of the second end 114 of
the male connection member 120. Such spherical member 142 has a
predetermined diameter. In the presently preferred embodiment,
at least a portion of the substantially spherical inner surface
115 of such male connection member 114 is positioned adjacent a
predetermined portion of the spherical member 142.
A retainer member 121 having a substantially spherical shape
is engageable within the slotted portion 117 of such male
connection member 120. An end of this retainer member 121 butts
up against the ledge 119 of the slotted portion 117 to form a
substantially spherical inner surface including at least a
portion of such inner surface 115 of such male connection member
114 and the retainer member 121. This substantially spherical
inner surface is positioned around a predetermined portion of
such spherical member 142 and provides a surface which enables
movement of such male connection member 120 in relation to such
car connection member 64 in both a vertical direction and a
horizontal direction over a predetermined range of angles
measured from a centerline of the spherical member 142 disposed
in a vertical direction and from a longitudinal axis of such
articulated coupling arrangement disposed in a horizontal
direction.
The retainer member 121 is formed as a single piece from any
well known material as discussed in detail above. Additionally,
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CA 02289302 1999-11-10
any well known and/or previously mentioned securing means 143 may
be used for securing the retainer member 121 within the slotted
portion 117 of such male connection member 120. Also, note that
the inner surface of the male connection member is not limited to
surfaces having a "slotted" portion removed therefrom and can
include other shaped surfaces as discussed in detail above.
While a number of embodiments of the connection assembly for
use in an articulated type coupling arrangement and/or a
slackless drawbar type assembly, constructed according to the
present invention, have been described in detail above, it should
be obvious to persons skilled in the railway coupling art that
various other modifications and adaptions of such articulated
coupling arrangement can be made without departing form the
spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.
